It has been a testing few months for the man who scored the winner for Crystal Palace in last season’s FA Cup final. But after being hooked at half-time during the disappointing draw with Brentford on Thursday when Mikel Arteta said he is still adapting to life in north London, perhaps this competition could help breathe new life into Eberechi Eze’s Arsenal career.
As well as providing assists for Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli’s opening goals – albeit against a poor Wigan side who are languishing in League One’s relegation zone – the England midfielder’s swagger was back for the first time since he scored a hat-trick in the north London derby in November.
With doubts over captain Martin Ødegaard’s participation against Wolves on Wednesday after he wasn’t part of the matchday squad here and Kai Havertz set to miss at least four matches due to a muscle injury, it could be a timely return to form for Eze before next weekend’s rematch with Spurs.
Wigan’s interim manager, Glenn Whelan, revealed beforehand that he had been in touch with his former Republic of Ireland teammate Keith Andrews to get some tips about facing record 14-time FA winners Arsenal having watched Brentford cut their lead at the top of the Premier League to four points.
